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For three elements, $x\neq y\neq z\neq x$ expresses the inequalities in 7 symbols. For four elements, this linear-string approach takes 15. For five, it can be done in 21, and in general, for any odd number $n>1$, it can be done in $n(n-1)+1$ symbols (although I suppose you might run into trouble at $n=27$). Curiously, the OEIS does not (yet) have an entry extending $3,7,15,21$ with both $43$ and $73$ in the proper place.
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Barry CipraFeb 5 '13 at 17:53